North Dakota allocates $30 million for agriculture diversification fund and research positions

The North Dakota Legislature convened on June 25, 2025, to discuss the budget allocations for the Government Operations Division, focusing primarily on the Agriculture Commissioner and related agencies. The meeting highlighted significant funding decisions and legislative actions impacting agricultural development and research in the state.

The session began with a review of House Bill 1332, which allocated $30 million from a line of credit with the Bank of North Dakota to the Agriculture Diversification and Development Fund. This funding is intended to support a value-added agricultural facility incentive program, effective through June 30, 2029. The committee discussed the previous biennium's funding, noting that $25 million had been transferred to the fund, with approximately $10 million currently available for spending.

Following this, the committee moved on to the budget for the Agriculture Research and Extension agencies, starting with the Branch Research Centers. The budget for these centers included a $560,000 increase for operating expenses, with each of the seven centers receiving $40,000 in general and local funds. Notably, a partial funding for a grape and vineyard research specialist position was mentioned, although no full-time equivalent (FTE) authority was added for this role.

The discussion then shifted to the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service, where it was reported that no significant one-time general fund appropriations were included. However, the budget did allocate $290,000 for a new FTE extension carbon specialist position, along with additional funding for supplies and temporary salaries.

The main research center's budget was also reviewed, revealing a one-time funding addition of approximately $1.57 million for equipment storage sheds at the Dickinson Research Center. The committee noted the addition of a veterinary toxicologist position, funded at $275,000, while also addressing the removal of funding for four vacant positions, totaling $1.14 million in general fund authority.

Throughout the meeting, members raised questions regarding the progress of ongoing projects, particularly concerning the completion of various research facilities and the need for accountability in reporting on these initiatives. The committee emphasized the importance of tracking the effectiveness of funding allocations to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the North Dakota Legislature's commitment to supporting agricultural research and development through strategic funding decisions, while also highlighting the need for oversight and accountability in the execution of these initiatives. Further discussions and follow-up actions are anticipated as the legislature continues to monitor the progress of funded projects.